Conveyance to Koniag, Inc., a regional corporation, of the subsurface estate of lands to be selected Section 15

          (a) The Secretary shall convey under sections 12(a)(1) and 14(f) of the Settlement Act to Koniag, Incorporated, a Regional Corporation established pursuant to section 7 of said Act, such of the subsurface estate, other than title to or the right to remove gravel and common varieties of minerals, as is selected by said corporation from lands withdrawn by Public Land Order 5397 for identification for election by it located in the following described area:

  • Township 36 south, range 52 west;
  • Township 37 south, range 51 west;
  • Township 37 south, range 52 west;
  • Township 37 south, range 53 west, sections 1-4, 9-12, 13-16, 21-24, north half of 25-28;
  • Township 38 south, range 51 west, sections 1-5, 9, 10, 12, 13, 18, 24, 25;
  • Township 38 south, range 52 west, sections 1-35;
  • Township 38 south, range 53 west, sections 1, 12, 13, 24, 25, 36;
  • Township 39 south, range 51 west, sections 6, 7, 16-21, 28-33;
  • Township 39 south, range 52 west, sections 1, 2, 11, 12, 13-16, 21-24;
  • Township 39 south, range 53 west, sections 26, 33-36;
  • Township 40 south, range 52 west, sections 6, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17, 18-21, 27-36;
  • Township 40 south, range 53 west, all except sections 20, 29-33;
  • Township 40 south, range 54 west, all except sections 35 and 36;
  • Township 41 south, range 52 west, sections 4, 8-15;
  • Township 41 south, range 54 west, section 3;
  • Township 41 south, range 53 west, sections 1, 2, 11, 12, 13, S.M., Alaska;

          Notwithstanding the withdrawal of such lands by Public Land Order 5179, as amended, pursuant to section 17(d)(2) of the Settlement Act: Provided, That notwithstanding the future designation by Congress as part of the National park System or other national land system referred to in section 17(d)(2)(A) of the Settlement Act of the surface estate overlying any subsurface estate conveyed as provided in this section, and with or without such designation, Koniag, Incorporated, shall have such use of the surface estate, including such right of access thereto, as is reasonably necessary to the exploration for and the removal of oil and gas from said subsurface estate, subject to such regulations by the Secretary as are necessary to protect the ecology from permanent harm.

          The United States shall make available to Koniag, its successors and assigns, such sand and gravel as is reasonably necessary for the construction of facilities and rights-of-way appurtenant to the exercise of the rights conveyed under this section, pursuant to the provision of section 601 et seq., title 30, United States Code, and the regulations implementing that statue which are then in effect.

          (b) The subsurface estate in all lands other than those described in subsection (a) within the Koniag Region and withdrawn under section 17(d)(2)(E) of the Settlement Act, shall not be available for selection by Koniag Region, Incorporated.